The Silent Storm: How Climate Change Amplifies Antimicrobial Resistance inLow- and Middle-Income Countries

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating yet neglected crisis, particularly in low- and
middle-income countries where health systems are already strained. Emerging evidence
shows that climate change — through rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and
ecosystem disruptions — accelerates the spread and evolution of AMR, compounding
existing health burdens. In the WHO Africa Region for instance in 2019, over 1 million lives
were lost to AMR.
This deadly intersection threatens to erode decades of progress in global health, jeopardizing
lives, economies, and the stability of healthcare systems. In a recent review by María
Fernández Salgueiro and colleagues (2024), they found out that:
that rising temperatures associated with climate change can contribute to the
proliferation of antibiotic resistance, affecting diverse ecosystems.
Ignoring the climate-AMR link risks deepening inequities and undermining efforts to protect
vulnerable populations.
We must urgently unite governments, researchers, and communities to integrate climate
resilience and AMR strategies. Prioritize funding, foster cross-sector collaboration, and
amplify local leadership to confront this dual crisis before it spirals beyond control. The time
to act is now.